CAVENDISH, Vt. – The Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) Parent-Teacher Group (PTG) is thrilled to celebrate an incredibly generous donation made possible by Tyler Butterick, of Fairway Fundraising, whose September 2025 golf tournament at Fox Run Golf Club raised an astounding $13,324 in support of CTES students. What began as a day of community connection and friendly competition has blossomed into a truly transformative investment in student experiences – touching the arts, athletics, and academic exploration across the school.
The success of this fundraiser was driven by the remarkable generosity of several major donors whose commitment to local children and education helped turn the event into something truly special. The CTES PTG would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Tyler Siegordner from UpNorth Builders; Jimmy Filipowicz, CTES alumnus, of Brooks Excavating; Ray Floyd from Piper Sandler; Joel Nuccci from Calamari Recycling; Julie Abraham, of Mary Davis Realty; and Frank Provance, of Diamond Realty. Their generosity, leadership, and belief in the importance of supporting students made this fundraiser an overwhelming success and demonstrated the power of a community coming together for children.
One of the most immediate and joyful impacts of this donation can be heard in the CTES music room. Thanks to Fairway Fundraising, students are now making music with upgraded and expanded instruments that have breathed new life into the program. A brand-new snare drum and stand now support both band participation and individual lessons, while the replacement of a very old concert bass drum has dramatically improved the depth and quality of the ensemble’s sound. The addition of a music stand cart has also brought a new level of organization and ease to rehearsals and performances.
Even more exciting is the expansion of classroom instruments, allowing more students to actively participate in music-making during each lesson. With the addition of six metallophones and an alto xylophone, students can now explore melody and harmony together in ways that were not previously possible. The introduction of nested Remo Festival Tubano drums has added a rich rhythmic dimension to the classroom, offering deep bass tones, crisp slaps, and vibrant cultural connections. Completing this beautiful collection is a 30-inch Chilean Copado Cactus rainstick, the soothing, natural tones of which create moments of calm and reflection while sparking curiosity and imagination.
In another exciting addition to the music program, CTES was also able to purchase a full classroom set of ukuleles. Fifth and sixth grade students are now learning how to play, bringing an entirely new musical experience into the classroom. Students have embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm, building confidence as they learn chords, rhythm, and performance skills together. The ukuleles have already become a favorite part of music instruction, filling the school with energy, laughter, and song. Together, these additions have transformed the music room into a space where creativity, collaboration, and joyful expression thrive.
Beyond the music room, Fairway Fundraising’s generosity extended to ensuring that every student who wanted to participate in the Okemo Mountain Snowsports Program could do so without financial barriers. For many students, this meant the opportunity to try skiing or snowboarding for the very first time. For others, it allowed them to build on existing skills with confidence and consistency. All program sign-up fees were fully covered, along with seasonal equipment rentals, removing obstacles that might otherwise prevent participation. In addition, weekly snacks were provided, helping students stay energized and ready to learn throughout each session. The result was a season filled with excitement, perseverance, and pride, where every child had the chance to experience success on the mountain.
The impact of this gift continues even further, as remaining funds are now being thoughtfully directed toward enhancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) materials at CTES. These investments are strengthening opportunities for hands-on, inquiry-based learning, giving students the tools they need to explore, design, build, and problem-solve. Whether engaged in science investigations, engineering challenges, or mathematical exploration, students are benefiting from materials that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation – skills that will serve them well far beyond the classroom.
The success of the CTES fundraiser has generated tremendous enthusiasm throughout the community. In fact, Fairway Fundraising’s July 2026 tournament at Fox Run Golf Club is already completely full. However, there are still opportunities for individuals and businesses to become involved in two upcoming tournaments that will continue supporting local organizations and students. Fairway Fundraising is currently seeking both golfers and sponsors for tournaments scheduled for Sept. 7, at Green Mountain National Golf Course, and Sept. 14, at Fox Run Golf Club. Community members interested in playing, sponsoring a hole, donating a prize, or becoming a tournament sponsor are encouraged to contact Tyler Butterick at 802-558-2969. Every golfer and every sponsor helps create opportunities for local students and strengthens the communities these events serve.
The CTES PTG extends its deepest gratitude to Fairway Fundraising, all tournament participants, and the many businesses and individuals who made this event such a success. Over the past three years, Butterick, tournament participants, and businesses have donated to Cavendish PTG more than $25,000. Because of this generosity, our students are not only gaining access to new instruments, new experiences, and new learning opportunities; they are building confidence, discovering passions, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.